Machine for soldering cans.



No. 738,972. PATENTED SEPT. 15, 1903.

s. BAKER.

MACHINE FOR SOLDERING CANS.

APPLICATION FILED APR Z Q, 1901. N0 MODEL.

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. PATENTED SEPT. 15, 1908.

S. A. BAKER. MACHINE FOR SOLDERING CANS.

APPLIOATION'FILBD APR. 29, 1901.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2..

"N0 MODEL.

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No-738,972. v PATENTED SEPT. 15, 1903. I s. A. BAKERY- MACHINE FORSOLDERING CANS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 29, 1901.

N0 MODEL. 4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

No. 738,972. PATENTED SEPT. 15, 1903.

s. A. BAKER. MACHINE FOR SOLDERING CANS.

APPLIOATIdN rupn APR. 29, 1901.

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zen of the United States, residing at Eastport', in the county ofWashington and State of UN TED STATES Y Patented September 15, 1903.

PATENT- OFFICE.

SAMUEL A. BAKER, OF EASTPORT, MAINE, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS,TO AMERICAN KEY CAN COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, LLINOIS, A

CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

MIACHINE FOR, iSOLDERlNG CANS.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Fatent No. 738,972, dated September15, 1903.

' Application filed April 29, moi. Serial in 57.991. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that LSAMUEL A. BAKER,a citije Maine, have invented certainnew and useful Improvements in Machines for Soldering Cans,of which thefollowing is a specification, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings. 1

My invention relates to machines for the manufacture of sheet-metalcans, and has for its object to provide a machine by which the solderingoperation may be completed in cans after solder has been applied to thesurfaces to be joined, asset forth in my application for patentforimprovements in machines for applying solder to sheet metal of even dateherewith, Serial No. 57,990, filed April. 29, 1901. said application isa sardine-can and consists of a body'portion having at one edge aninwardly-projecting flange extending around its perimeter and at theother edge an outwardlyprojecting flange.

What is .termed the top is secured to the inwardly-projecting flange ofthe can-body, while the bottom is secured to the outwardly-projectingflange. The machine described in my said application is designed toapply solder to one of the flanges above referred to, so that the toporv bottom, as the case may be, may afterward.

be applied thereto and soldered in position by simply bringing the partstogether and subjecting them to heat sufficiently great to melt thesolder, and my present application has to do with a machine for carryingout the latter step. To this end my improved machine is provided with acarrier adapted to conduct the can bodies and tops through the machine,the carrier I being provided with means for holding the top or bottom,as the case may be, in contact with the flange towhich it is to besoldered until the soldering operation is completed. (I shallhereinafter use the term top in describing the part to be soldered tothe can-body; but I wish it understood that the term is used-in ageneric sense as indicating the part to be soldered to .the can-body,whether it be a top, bottom, or other part or piece.) It is furtherprovided The can particularly described in my.

That which I regard as new will be set forth in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate one embodiment of myinvention, Figure 1 is aplan view. Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view of,one end of the machine. Fig. 3 is a side elevation. Fig. 4 is anenlarged detail, being a plan View of part of the clamping devices. Fig.5 is a section on line 5 5 of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 isa detail illustrating thearrangement of the discharging devices, and Fig. 7 is a cross-section online 7 7 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings, 6 indicates a series of standards, preferablyU shaped, which support the parts of the machine. Said standards arearranged somewhat in the form of an ellipse, thereby giving the frame ofthe machine the form of an elongated ellipse, as shown in Fig- 1. I

7 8 indicate outer and inner rails mounted on top of the standards 6,asbest shown in Fi 2.

Elindicates a guard-rail, which extends over the inner rail 8 andpreferably is formed integral therewith, said rails being bestconstructed by taking a channel-bar and mounting it on its side on thestandards 6.

10 11 indicate drive-wheels mounted near the ends of the machine onshafts 12 13, respectively, and adapted to rotate on vertical axes. Thewheels 10 11 are provided with radial arms 14, having recesses 15 intheir outer ends for a purpose which will be hereinafter described. Thediameter of said wheels .is somewhat greater than what may be, termedthe minor axis of the machine at the rail 8, so that said arms 1i extendbeyond said rail, terminating about midway between the rails 7 8, asshown in Fig. 2. The shaft 12 is driven from a beveled gear 16 by meansof a gear 17, which is mounted on said shaft, as shown in Fig. 3, thegear 16 being driven from any suitable source of power applied to ashaft 18, on which said gear 16 is mounted. Other suitable drivingmechanism, for the shaft 12 may, however, be employed, if desired.

The wheel 11 is driven from the wheel by means of a carrier composed ofa number of sections pivoted together, forming in eiiect a link belt.The construction of said carrier is best shown in Figs. 2, 4, and 5. InFig. 4 a single section of the carrier is illustrated. As therein shown,each of said sections consists of a link 19, having vertically-arrangedpivot-bearings 2O 21 at its ends, by which it is pivotally connected tocorresponding links, so that the links 19 of all the sections takentogether form an endless chain or link belt. As shown in Fig. 5, theforward end of the link 19 is bifurcated to adapt it to fit over thebearing 21 of the preceding link. Near its rear end the link 19 isprovided with bosses 22, forming bearings for a transverse shaft 23,upon the ends of which are mounted wheels (See dottedlines in Fig. 2.)Said wheels lie over the rails 7 8, upon which they travel. As shown inFig. 5, bosses 25 project vertically from the links 19 at thepivot-bearings 20, which bosses are adapted to fit into the recesses 15in the arms 14 of the Wheels 10 11, as shown in Fig. 2, so that as saidwheels rotate the carrier is caused to rotate, the different sectionstraveling along the rails 7 8 on their wheels 24. Each link 19 isprovided with laterally-pro j ecting arms 26 27, forming a yoke whichprojects outward, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4, and between the outer endsof said arms 26 27 is pivoted a can-carrying frame 28. The can-carryingframe is best shown in Figs. 4 and 5, from an inspection of which itwill be seen that it consists of a rectangular frame of suitable shapeto receive a can, having trunnions 29 3O projecting from its front andrear ends, which trunnions fit in sockets 31 32 in the arms 26 27,respectively, and are held securely in place by setscrews 33. The frame28 is provided with a vertically-movable bottom plate 34, which rests oninwardly-projecting lugs 35, carried by the frame, and carries adownwardly-projecting rod 36, preferably arranged centrally, as shown inFig. 5. The frame 28 is also provided with a cover-plate 37, which isvertically movable, being carried by a swinging plate 38, pivoted uponan arm 39, rising from the frame 28, as shown in Fig. 5. Said plate 37is secured to the plate 38 by a pin 40, the lower end of which isriveted to the plate 37, its upper end projecting through the plate 38and being secured by a key 41. A spring 42 is mounted on the pin 40between the two plates 37 38 and acts to press said plates apart, theplate 37 thereby being yieldingly held away from the plate 38.

43 indicates a guide-pin secured to the plate 37 and projecting throughthe plate 38, as shown in Fig. 5.

44 indicates a roller mounted on a pivot 45, carried by lugs 46, risingfrom the plate 38, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. Obviously, by bearing downon the roller 44 the plate 38 will be pressed toward the plate 37compressing the spring 42, and consequently pressing the plate 37 downmore tightly on the frame 28. The ends of the plate 37 project over theframe 28, so that said plate 37 cannot'move down beyond the point whereit rests on the frame. As shown in Fig. 4, the pin 45, which carries theroller 44, extends inwardlythat is, toward the link 19-beyond the inneredge of the frame 28 and carries a roller 47, the object of which willbe hereinafter stated.

48 indicates a pin carried by the frame 28, near the pin 30, said pin 48projecting into a suitable bearing in the arm 27, as shown in Fig. 4,thereby preventing the frame 28 from rocking on its trunnions 29 30.

As stated, the carrier is made up of a number of sections, such as thatjust described, and therefore as the wheels 10 11 rotate the carrierwill also be rotated, the sections moving around the wheels and from endto end of the machine, as illustrated in Fig. 1, the frames 28 lyingoutside of the rail 7, the rollers 47, carried by the frames 28,projecting inward toward said rail. Said rollers 47 are for the purposeof raising the cover-plates 37, and to this end cam-rails 49 areprovided at appropriate points, which lie in the path of said rollers 47and are inclined so that said rollers ride upon said rails and aregradually raised, carrying up the plates 38 37 to the position shown indotted lines in Fig. 5, permitting the can-bodies to be discharged fromthe frames 28. The discharge of the can-bodies from the frames 28 iseffected by camplates 50, arranged in the path of the pins 36, whichdepend from the bottom plates 34, said cam-plates 50 being alsoinclined, as shown in Fig. 3, so that as the carrier moves forward thepins 36 ride up 011 the plates 50, carrying the bottom plates 34 up andraising the canbodies clear of the frames 28.

In the construction shown the machine is double aetingthat is to say,can-bodies are fed into it at both ends and are discharged at both ends,the can-bodies fed in at one end being discharged at the other.Consequently two cam-rails 49 and two cam-plates 50 are providedarranged at opposite ends of the machine, as shown in Fig. 1. Thespecific arrangement of the said cam rails and plates is best shown inFig. 2, from which it will be seen that the cam-rail 49 commences nearone end of the machine and extends around the adjacent end, terminatingat the opposite side of the machine. Each cam-plate 50 is arranged nearthe end of the machine and at oneside only, lying outside of andparallel with the adjacent portion of the cam-rail 49. The function ofthe roller 44, carried by the plate 38, is to cause the plate 38 and thecoverplate 37 to be forced down. on the can-body after it has been putin the frame 28, and to this end said roller 44 is adapted to engage aplate 51, mounted in suitable supports 52 at the side of the machine, asshown in Fig. 3. The roller 44 runs under the plate 51, the ends ofwhich are beveled, as shown, to facilitate the passage of the rollers 44thereunder. Said plate 51 is so placed that when the rollers 44 passunder it the requisite pressure will be applied to the plate 38 andtransmittedthrough the spring 42 to the coverplate 37. Two of the plates5l-are provided one at each'side of the machine.and said platespreferably extend from near one end to near the other end of themachine, as shown.

- able points to heat the seams of the cans before they are dischargedfrom the frames 28.

- frame 28.

v it to its normal position.

being placed under the side seams of the canbodies, so that both sideseams will be heated at the same time. By thus placing the burners alongthe side seams the end seams are also heated sufficiently to melt thesolder, since the flames from the burners may readily reach all parts ofthe short end seams.

54'indicates delivery-arms, one of which'is provided near each end ofthe machine. As shown in Fig. 2, the delivery-arm 1 54 is mounted in theframe of the machine near the cam-plate 50, the operating end 55 of saidarm lying near the farther end of the camplate 50. Said arm 54 ismounted on a vertical pivot 56, so that the arm rocks in a horizontalplane, the forward end 55 thereof lying normally slightly above andadjacent to the A spring 57 serves to hold said arm 54 normally at oneside of the path of the frames 28, but said arm is adapted to rock tocarry its end 55 laterally across the frames 28, as will be hereinafterdescribed. The rear end 58 of the arm'54 (shown in dotted lines in Fig.2) extends across the path ofv the bosses 25 and is inclined downward,as shown in Fig. 6, so that as the carriermoves along the bosses 25 willstrike the rear end 58 of said arm 54, thrusting it inward, therebymoving the forward end 55 thereof outward. After thus operating the arm54 the bosses 25 passunder the arm 54 thereby disengaging it andpermitting'the spring57 to restore The timing. of the parts is such thatthe-bosses 25 strike the end 58 of the arm after a can-body has beenraised out oftheframe 28 and when'such can-body arrives opposite the end55 of said arm 54, so that the rocking of said arm causes the can-bodyto be moved laterally from over the frame 28 and deposited in anysuitable receptacle placed to receive it.

The operation of my improved machine is as follows: The plates 38 and 37being in the posit-ion shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5, which positionthey occupy at the ends of the machine, a can-top is'first placed in thebottom -of the frame 28, resting on the plate 34. The

canbody having its lower surface coated with solder is then placed inthe frame 28 on the top. As'the carrier proceeds the roller 44, carriedby the plate 38, comes in contact with the plate 5i, passing under it,the top plate 37 being thereby forced down upon the can-body, pressingitclosely upon the top. The burners 53 being by this time reached theseams to be united are heated, the solder being melted, and the partssoldered together. In order tocool the can-bodies properly after thesoldering operation, air-pipes 59 are provided, said pipes beingarranged to direct blasts .of cold-air against the seams after they havepassed the burners 53. The air-pipes are arranged similarly to theburners and may be of any suitable construction. When the can-bodiesapproach the end of the plate 51, they will be acted on by the cold-airblasts, thereby cooling the can-bodies sufficiently to permit of theirbeing delivered from the machine without injury. When the cam-rail 49 isreached, the roller 47 will ride on it, being carried up by it, therebylifting the plates 38 and 37 and permitting the can-body with the topattached to rise out of the frame 28 under the action of the cam-plate50 upon the pin 36, which operates at this time. as the soldered canclears the frame 28 it will be acted on by thearm 54, operated by one ofthe bosses 25, as above described, the canbody being therebydischargedat one side of the machine. A similar operation will at the same timetake place at the opposite side of the machine, an .operator beingstationed at each end to supply the can tops and bodies.

It is of course not essential that a doubleacting machine. such as thatdescribed be employed, as my invention may be embodied in'asingle-acting machine.

I have described the machine illustrated specifically, but I wish it tobe understood that my invention is not restricted to the specificdetails of the construction shown and described, eXcept in so far assuch details are specifically claimed.

That which 1 claim as my invention, and desire to secure by LettersPatent, is..

. 1. In a can-soldering machine, the combination of a carrier adapted toconduct canbodies and having a frame corresponding in shape to the shapeof the can-body, said frame being adapted to receive and support acan-body in. contact with, the top, means As soon for heating the partsto be joined, and means for cooling the can-bodies after the solderingoperation, substantially as described.

2. In a can-soldering machine, the combination of a carrier adapted toconduct canbodies and having means for supporting a can-body in contactwith the top, means for heating the parts to be joined, and means fordirecting air against the heated portions of the can, for cooling thesame, substantially as described.

3. In a can-soldering machine, the combination of a carrier consistingof an endless belt, means for moving said carrier, a frame carried bysaid carrier, said frame being of a shape corresponding with that of thecanbody, said frame being adapted to receive a can-body and a toptherefor and hold them in contact with each other in position forsoldering, means for heating the parts to be soldered as they arecarried by said carrier, and means for discharging the soldered cansfrom the carrier, substantially as described.

4. In a can-soldering machine, the combination of a carrier consistingof an endless belt, means for operating said carrier, wheels carried bysaid carrier, tracks on which said wheels run, can-holding framescarried by said carrier, said can-holding frames being of a shapecorresponding with that of the canbodies, and being adapted to receive acantop and a can-body resting on the top, and heating devices arrangedbelow the carrier for heating the parts to be joined, substan-- tiallyas described.

5. In a can-soldering machine, the combination of a carrier consistingof an endless belt, means for operating said carrier, wheels carried bysaid carrier, tracks on which said wheels run, can-holding framescarried by said carrier, said can-holdin g frames being of a shapecorresponding with that of the canbodies, and being adapted to receive acantop and a can-body resting on the top, means for heating the parts tobe joined, and means for pressing the can-body down upon the top whileit is subjected to the heat, substantially as described.

6. In a can-soldering machine, the combination of a carrier consistingof an endless belt, means for operating said carrier, wheels carried bysaid carrier, tracks on which said wheels run, can-holding framescarried by said carrier, said can-holding frames being of a shapecorresponding with that of the canbodies, and being adapted to receive acantop and a can-body resting on the top, heating devices arranged belowthe carrier for heating the parts to be joined, and means fordischarging the cans from said can-holding frames after they have beensoldered, substantially as described.

7. In a can-soldering machine, the combination of a carrier consistingof an endless belt, means for operating said carrier, wheels carried bysaid carrier, tracks on which said wheels run, can-holding framescarried by said carrier, said can-holding frames being of a shapecorresponding with that of the canbodies, and being adapted to receive acantop and a can-body resting on the top, means for heating the parts tobe joined, means for pressing the can-body down upon the top while it issubjected to the heat, and means for discharging the soldered cans fromthe can -holding frames, substantially as described.

8. In a can-soldering machine, the combination of a machine-frame,sprocket-wheels mounted therein, an endless belt operated by saidwheels, can-holding frames carried by said belt, said framescorresponding in shape with the shape of the can-bodies, means forbinding the can-bodies and tops together in said can-holding frames, andmeans for heating the parts to be joined, substantially as described.

9. In a can-soldering machine, the combination of a carrier consistingof an endless belt, can-holding frames carried thereby, said can-holdingframes being adapted to receive a can-top and a can-body in contact withthe top in position for soldering, hinged coverplates for saidcan-holding frames, and mechanism for raising said cover-plates,substantially as described.

10. In a can-soldering machine, the combination of a carrier consistingof an endless belt, can-holding frames carried thereby, said can-holdingframes being adapted to receive a can-top and a can-body in contact withthe top in position for soldering, hinged coverplates for saidcan-holding frames, mechanism for raising said cover-plates, and meansfor discharging the cans from said can-holding frames when thecover-plates are raised.

11. In a can-soldering machine, the combination of a carrier consistingof an endless belt, can-holding frames carried thereby, said can-holdingframes being adapted to receive can tops and bodies, the can-bodiesbeing in contact with the tops in position for solderin g, avertically-movable bottom plate in each of said can-holding frames, andmeans for raising said bottom plates to discharge the cans from saidframes, substantially as described.

12. In a can-soldering machine, the combination of a carrier consistingof an endless belt, can-holding frames carried thereby, said can-holdingframes being adapted to receive can tops and bodies, the can-bod iesbeing in contact with the tops in position for soldering, avertically-movable bottom plate in each of said can-holding frames,means for raising said bottom plates to discharge the cans from saidframes, means for binding the can-bodies and tops in said frames, andmeans for releasing them before the bottom plate rises, substantially asdescribed,

13. In a can-soldering machine, the combination of a carrier,can-holding frames carried thereby, said frames corresponding in shapeto the shape of the can-bodies, and being adapted to receive can bodiesand tops,

means for heating the parts to be soldered,

means for moving the soldered cans out of. said can-holding frames, andmeansfor discharging said cans laterally from the carrier, substantiallyas described.

l l. Ina can-soldering machine, the combination of 'a carrier,can-holding frames carried thereby, said frames corresponding in meansfor moving the soldered cans out of said can-holding frames, and arocking arm for discharging the soldered. cans laterally from thecarrier, substantially as described.

15. In a can-soldering machine, the combination of a carrier,can-holding frames carried thereby, said frames corresponding in shapeto the shape of the can-bodies being adapted to receive can bodies andtops, means for heating the parts to be soldered, means for moving thesoldered cans out of said canholding frames, a rocking arm fordischarging the soldered cans laterally from the carrier, and meansoperated by the movementof the carrier for actuating said arm, substan-4 tially as described.

adapted to receive a can-top and a can-body in contact with the top inposition for soldering, cover-plates for said can-holding frames, I

and mechanism for raising said cover-plates, substantially as described.

18. In a can-soldering machine, the combination of a carrier,can-holding frames carried thereby, said can-holding frames beingadapted to receive can tops and bodies, the can-bodies being in contactwith the tops in position for soldering, a'vertically-movable bottomplate in each of said can-holding frames, and means for raising saidbottom plates to discharge the cans from said frames, substantially asdescribed.

19. In a can-solderingmachine, the combination of a carrier, can-holdingframes carried thereby, said can-holding frames being adapted to receivecan tops and bodies, the can-bodies being in contactwith the tops inposition for soldering, a vertically-movable bottom plate in' each ofsaid can-holding frames, means for raising said bottom plates todischarge the cans from said can-holding frames, and cover-plates forsaid can-holding frames, substantially as described.

20. In a can-soldering machine, the combination of a carrier, canholdingframes carried thereby, said can-holding frames being adapted to receivecan tops and bodies, the

can-bodies being in contact With the tops inpbsition for soldering, aVertically-movable bottom plate in each of said canholding frames, meansfor raising said bottom plates to discharge the cans from saidcan-holding frames, and hinged cover-plates for said canholding'frames,substantially as described.

21. In a can-soldering machine, the combination of acarrier, can-holdingframes carried thereby, said framesbeing adapted to receive can bodiesand tops, hinged plates mounted over said frames, spring-pressedcover-plates carried by said hinged plates, means for raising saidcover-plates, and means for pressing said cover-plates down upon thecan-bodies, substantially as described.

22. In a can-soldering machine, the combination of a carrier consistingof an endless belt, said carrier being arranged substan-

